Cutting lower receiver

[stx.dead.I]

Has anyone ever tried cutting their lower receiver magwell sections to shave weight or make it more personal?

I got the idea from battle arms developments lower receiver. I am going to cerakote mine in the near future and thought this might be a good time to try it.

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[stx.dead.I]

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[Leaveammoforme]

Not for me but, to each his own. Best choice for destroying...AHEM...I mean modifying your lower would be using a mill. I imagine a person would also want to get a full sized 80% lower jig.

You could install one side plate of jig so lower would sit flat then mill away.

[Kain]

Not for me but, to each his own. Best choice for destroying...AHEM...I mean modifying your lower would be using a mill. I imagine a person would also want to get a full sized 80% lower jig.

You could install one side plate of jig so lower would sit flat then mill away.

I suppose this is a good idea if one were inclined.

Personally, if I am looking to shave weight, I'd be looking at changing the stock, barrel, handguard/rail system, or optic set up long before grinding on a lower. The weight savings just aren't worth it to me.

[1911-A1]

I guess you could get a cheap $50 lower and experiment with it. The trick is figuring out what areas won't affect the long-term structural integrity of the lower. There's a good chance you'll see cracks in weird places when you put a "statistically significant" number of rounds through it after removing material.

[azoutdoorsman]

I guess you could get a cheap $50 lower and experiment with it. The trick is figuring out what areas won't affect the long-term structural integrity of the lower. There's a good chance you'll see cracks in weird places when you put a "statistically significant" number of rounds through it after removing material.

How so? The lower takes almost no stress whatsoever and there are a few companies that offer "skeletonized" lowers already.

Even the shitty plastic lowers never cracked at the magwell.

[Dstrbdmedic167]

If done properly you probably wont have any issues... But if homebrewed i'd bet you'd see some issues...

[1911-A1]

How so? The lower takes almost no stress whatsoever and there are a few companies that offer "skeletonized" lowers already.

Even the shitty plastic lowers never cracked at the magwell.

Well lowers do experience some stress during shooting, which is why a lot of shitty plastic lowers broke right before the receiver extension. When you're firing an AR rapidly, switching positions, running, bumping into things, dropping the gun, etc, there are stresses placed on the rifle that can easily affect the lower. If you're removing material in the wrong areas, there's a good chance you might weaken it where it needs to be strong thus inducing failure at areas we don't often see. I'm not saying it will explode, or even become inoperative, just that you might see more wear and cracks ahead of schedule.

[redmist]

It will still be heavy compared to what is offered on the market as a lightweight solution.

Ryan

[762x39]

An entire stripped lower weighs 8-1/2 ounces. How much weight can you possibly save by cutting off a corner of the magwell? My guess is that you would be measuring it in grains and not ounces. Lots of places to save that tiny amount of weight without hacking up your receiver.